Shiatsu Adjuvant Therapy And Placebo For Schizophrenia

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Schizophrenia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Acupressure adjuvant therapy

• Registration Number: NCT00788970
• Lead Sponsor: Herzog Hospital

Brief Summary

In the current study we will study the effect of adding acupressure (shiatsu) to conventional therapy in treating individuals with schizophrenia.

Detailed Description

Acupressure, also known as shiatsu, is a holistic form of medicine originating in Japan but now widely practiced throughout the world. The theory is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which sees meridians of life force (chi) running through the body, and aims to optimize health through manipulating the body into maximal alignment.

We are proposing a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to examine the efficacy of acupressure as adjuvant therapy added to antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

The goals of this study are twofold:

1. To assess through the highest standards of empirical research whether acupressure can benefit patients with schizophrenia.

2. To furnish data relevant to the possible physiological mechanisms by which acupressure may produce a therapeutic effect.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2008-11-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-11-10
• Study First Posted: 2008-11-11
• Status Verified: 2009-01
• Study Start: 2009-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2009-01-12
• Last Update Posted: 2009-01-13
• Primary Completion: 2011-12
• Study Completion: 2011-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 150

Inclusion Criteria

1. DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
2. Ages 18 and over
3. Clinical status stable, as reflected by changes in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (Overall & Gorham, 1961) of less than 20% during a one month period prior to randomization, and at least one month of drug treatment without change of anti-psychotic drug or dosage.
4. Ability to cooperate with 40-minute sessions

Exclusion Criteria

1. Unstable general medical conditions
2. Active bone fracture or other orthopedic problem
3. Skin condition that renders treatment unsafe or painful
4. Active infection in skin or soft tissues, such as cellulitis
5. Solid tissue malignancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Acupressure	Acupressure adjuvant therapy	Acupressure adjuvant therapy
Placebo acupressure	Acupressure adjuvant therapy	Sham acupressure adjuvant therapy

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)	16 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Herzog Hospital, Department of Psychiatry; 🇮🇱 Jerusalem, Israel